"A child's learning is the function more of the characteristics of his classmates than those of the teacher." James Coleman, 1972

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

Math Professionals say no to CCSS TESTS

From a friend and former colleague:

Hi Dave,I am a trainer for Meaningful Math-a student centered program that is problem based. Years ago I taught IMP (Interactive Mathematics Program) which started in California and was a really great alternative way of teaching and learning. Today I received this email from Sherry Fraser, one of the authors of the IMP program and I think you will find it interesting.Marilyn

Subject: Common Core testing

Many of you know Steve Rasmussen as he was president of Key Curriculum Press and sponsored many IMP functions. He is now spending his time researching the common core tests that are coming our way. I read this article and then took the SBAC practice test and I agree with everything he says. The article is long and detailed and definitely worth reading.

Sherry

SR Education Associates Releases a New Report by Steven Rasmussen:Common Core Mathematics Tests AreFatally Flawed and Should Not Be UsedAn Critique of the Smarter Balanced Tests for MathematicsRead the full report at www.mathedconsulting.com.

Summary: This spring, tests developed by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium will be administered to well over 10 million students in 17 states to determine their proficiency on the Common Core Standards for Mathematics (CCSSM). This in-depth analysis of sample mathematics test questions posted online by Smarter Balanced reveals that, question after question, the tests (1) violate the standards they are supposed to assess, (2) cannot be adequately answered by students with the technology they are required to use, (3) use confusing and hard-to-use interfaces, or (4) are to be graded in such a way that incorrect answers are identified as correct and correct answers as incorrect. No tests that are so unfair should be given to anyone. Certainly, with stakes so high for students and their teachers, these Smarter Balanced tests should not be administered. The boycotts of these tests by parents and some school districts are justified. In fact, responsible government bodies should withdraw the tests from use before they do damage.

If you read nothing else about Common Core assessments — read this!— Sol Garfunkel, Consortium for Mathematics and Its Applications (COMAP)Archives for the IMPTEACH list are available at:http://www.math.uic.edu/~cpmp/listserv.html